South Africa
Cape Town
Our notebook to help you plan your trip to Cape Town: the right season, where to stay and our ideas to make the most of it.
Between the ocean and Table Mountain: beaches, vineyards, the penguins of Boulders Beach and one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
Best weatherDuring the southern summer: dry and sunny, around 26 °C. Winter is cooler and rainier, but very green.
A question?
Wéa answers about this destination: neighbourhoods, seasons, ideas.
When to go
Every season has its charm. Here's how to choose yours, depending on what you want to experience.
Southern summer
Dry and sunny: Camps Bay beaches, Table Mountain and picnics in the vineyards.
Harvest colours
Autumn turns the vines of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek golden, and it's still mild.
Smart winter
Cooler and sometimes rainy, but the landscapes are green, prices are at their lowest, and from June, whales arrive in Hermanus bay.
Flowers and whales
Spring brings flowers to the west coast, and it's the best time to see whales in Hermanus.
Where to stay
The right neighbourhood depends on what you're after. Here are our favourite places to stay.
V&A Waterfront
The revamped harbour: hotels, shops and boats to Robben Island.
Camps Bay
A white-sand beach below the Twelve Apostles, with sunsets and restaurants.
City Bowl
The city centre at the foot of Table Mountain, near the colourful Bo-Kaap district.
Sea Point
A seafront promenade, more residential and often more affordable.
Our favourites
What we love there: its history, its landscapes, its flavours and its festivals. Take your time, it's all there to enjoy.
Table Mountain
This plateau overlooking the city was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Go up by cable car or hike to the top for a breathtaking view.
Ideal for great views
The Cape of Good Hope
The peninsula road runs along spectacular cliffs to this legendary cape. On the way, at Boulders Beach, you can watch a colony of African penguins.
Ideal for a road trip
Robben Island
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for 18 years. The island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is visited by boat, often with former prisoners as guides.
Ideal for understanding history
Bo-Kaap and Kirstenbosch
The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood and its brightly coloured houses tell the story of the Cape community. Then Kirstenbosch botanical garden stretches out at the foot of the mountain.
Ideal for strolling